Page 52 of Hard Wired

“Not exactly.” Sandford took a tablet computer from his bag and set it up on the coffee table. “Your uncle would rather speak to you directly.”

Sandford hit a few buttons. A window opened, and after another minute, Charles Traynor appeared on the screen.

Uncle Charles had served as a captain in their organization since before Warren took power. He was in his fifties, but he looked younger. His hair was still the same shade of black it had been when Dominic was a child. He didn’t know if Charles dyed it or if it was natural.

Uncle Charles had always been athletic and youthful. Dominic remembered him playing touch football with the kids at holiday gatherings, though Dominic himself usually sat on the sidelines instead of taking part.

“Nephew, it’s been far too long. How are you?”

“I’m alive.”

Dominic had seen his uncle smile and laugh and take part in their games. But he’d also seen Uncle Charles gouge out a man’s eyes with his thumbs. Dominic was under no illusions about what kind of man Charles Traynor was. This man wasn’t calling to listen to his nephew whine. That would only be a show of weakness, and Dominic’s reputation was damaged enough as it was.

“I’ve heard about your legal trouble. Unfortunate that they haven’t dropped those charges yet. I keep hearing you’re innocent.”

Another potential trap. His uncle didn’t give a shit if he was innocent or not. In fact, his innocence would no doubt be a strike against him. “It’s a little dull around here most of the time,” Dominic said. “I’ve never minded a vacation, though it would be more pleasant if I had better companions to choose from.”

“But you’ve had some very pretty visitors lately, haven’t you?”

Shit, Dominic had walked right into that one. He’d meant to distract the Syndicate away from Sylvie, not remind them of her.

“I’d rather talk about work. Sandford tells me there’ve been some changes?”

“I’m glad you brought that up because it is an awkward subject. Isn’t it? The last time we spoke, I was reporting to you. But with your legal difficulties on top of Warren’s prison sentence, the business needs someone at the helm. We’ve had a few petty skirmishes. People outside the family trying to take advantage of this time of confusion. I couldn’t let that happen.”

“You want to make sure the business stays in the family.”

The man’s eyes were hard, seeing everything. “That’s exactly right. I’m glad that you and I are of the same mind. That’s quite a weight off my conscience. Family is everything.”

“It is.”

Charles picked a piece of lint from his sleeve. “Since you acknowledge the importance of keeping our family together, I’m sure you won’t have any problem sending a message to the captains? Making it clear that you accept my authority as the acting head of the business?”

Dominic felt the presence of Sandford's Neanderthal behind him, though he couldn’t see the guy. “I’m open to that. But I was hoping for more clarity. What would be my role going forward?”

In other words, How do I know you won’t arrange a convenient accident for me as soon as I give you my endorsement?

“As soon as we can resolve your legal troubles, I’d love to have you back at my side. But Dominic, we both know you’ve never relished the burdens and responsibilities that come with power. Let’s be frank. Before Warren left us, you preferred to spend your time on more enjoyable pursuits then running this business.”

Dominic wasn’t about to disagree.

“I know you’d rather promote your nightclubs or…whatever it was you kept yourself busy doing. My leadership will be better for all of us in the long run. And far better for the business.”

Dominic could only nod. If he opened his mouth, he was liable to say something that would get him killed. He didn’t want to be in charge of the Syndicate. He never had.

But there’s always someone worse, Warren had taught him.

“I can’t tell you how glad I am that we agree. Take care of yourself, nephew. Oh, and perhaps take it easier on Sandford? I know he can be frustrating, but he’s only the messenger. He has a few more instructions for you. Bye, now.”

Sandford turned off the tablet screen and replaced it in his bag. Then he turned around with a smug, closed-mouth grin.

“As your uncle said, there’s more that we expect of you. You can draft that message to the captains at your leisure. I’m sure you’ll want to take your time getting the wording just right. But your uncle needs a more affirmative act on your part to confirm your loyalty to this organization and this family.”

“You don’t know a damn thing about my family.”

Sandford went on as if Dominic hadn’t spoken. “We’ve been aware of your…let’s call it ‘friendship’ with Max Bennett for a while. And now you’re even closer to his employee, Sylvie Trousseau.”

Acid rose in Dominic’s throat. He waited for Sandford to mention the burner phone, the conversations he and Sylvie had been sharing every night the past week. But thank God, the man moved on. So he didn’t know.

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